Vanadium oxide supported on mesocellulous silica foams (MCF): An efficient and reusable catalyst for selective oxidation of sulfides

A green, efficient and selective approach for the oxidation of sulfides to sulfoxides and sulfones with UHP at room temperature is reported. The reaction is performed in the presence of vanadia catalyst supported on mesocellular silica foam (MCF) with a V content ranging from 2% to 10% as heterogeneous and reusable catalyst. The structural and textural characterization of this catalyst were done using FTIR, X-ray diffraction, and N2 adsorption-desorption. This catalyst was found to be effective for selective oxidation of sulfides to sulfoxides and the 5.6% V/MCF catalyst showed the highest activity. It is noteworthy that the reaction tolerates oxidatively sensitive functional groups and the sulfur atom is selectively oxidized.